warn

Upholding Palestine Action ban risks stifling dissent, Quakers warn

  • Post author:
  • Post last modified:18 June 2026
Upholding Palestine Action ban risks stifling dissent, Quakers warn

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group was lawful. This overturns an earlier High Court judgment. But Quakers and others have warned that the ruling risks stifling dissent. They have long argued that the Terrorism Act, introduced in 2000, is overly broad and threatens civil liberties particularly where it extends to property damage, placing the UK outside international norms. Five senior judges on Monday 15 June backed the home secretary’s position on Palestine Action. This allows the ban to remain in force despite widespread criticism and a civil disobedience campaign…

Continue ReadingUpholding Palestine Action ban risks stifling dissent, Quakers warn

Campaigners warn Starmer’s social media ban will harm disabled kids

Campaigners warn Starmer’s social media ban will harm disabled kids

Charities and campaigners have warned that Keir Starmer’s plan to ban under-16s from social media will isolate disabled and LGBTQ+ children. This week, Labour prime minister announced new legislation to stop children from accessing apps like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube. The ban will take effect in Spring 2027 and restrict livestreams and ‘stranger communication’ for children, including on gaming sites. The ban won’t help any kids There are already concerns that, without regulating the tech companies, this will do very little to protect children from the dangers of the internet and punish them instead. The Canary’s Maddison Wheeldon argues that:…

Continue ReadingCampaigners warn Starmer’s social media ban will harm disabled kids

MPs warn Palantir influence over British state is ‘unacceptable point of weakness’

  • Post author:
  • Post last modified:9 June 2026
MPs warn Palantir influence over British state is ‘unacceptable point of weakness’

MPs from the influential science committee have warned AI war firm Palantir’s increasing power over the UK state is an “unacceptable weakness”. The committee also noted the firm, which is very close to the current Keir Starmer government, espouses openly far-right politics. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee urged the government to: exercise the 2027 break clause in the NHS Federated Data Platform Contract with Palantir and either develop an in-house replacement or seek an alternative UK provider. The MPs also rejected the idea Palantir was the only firm capable of providing services the UK needs: The report argues that vendor…

Continue ReadingMPs warn Palantir influence over British state is ‘unacceptable point of weakness’